Finding Grace in the Trenches: A Gospel-Centered Bible Study for Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed

Hi Mamas! As a fellow mama who sometimes (or often) struggles to squeeze in a devotional before the chaos of little ones begins, I get it. Some mornings I rise early. Other mornings, not so much. Sometimes I manage to fit in a devotional, a workout, and my skincare routine before my daughter wakes up, and it feels like a small miracle when it all happens.

One thing that has truly helped me in those early hours is having a good Bible study on hand. Some studies are perfect for those just beginning their faith journey, while others lean more theological and deep. I find myself somewhere in the middle. I want something that challenges me and helps me grow, but I don't have the background to dig into Hebrew or Greek. I also need something that speaks to where I am in life right now, knee-deep in the beautiful, messy work of motherhood.

So I decided to try the Bible study Grace in Chaos: Biblical Hope for the Hard Days of Motherhood. This five-week study was exactly what I needed. Each week explores a new theme:

• Week 1: Gospel Hope for the Hard Days

• Week 2: Biblical Hope for Our Difficult Emotions Part 1

• Week 3: Biblical Hope for Our Difficult Emotions Part 2

• Week 4: Biblical Hope for Our Difficult Emotions Part 3

• Week 5: God’s Grace Is Sufficient for Motherhood

Each section opens with a memory verse and an introduction, then closes with space for reflection and application. There’s also a helpful guide at the beginning of the study called “The Attributes of God” that lists different attributes, their definitions, and Scripture references that show those characteristics in action.

This study offered so much hope right in the middle of my current season. It helped me refocus on Christ and shift how I see and approach motherhood. One of the quotes that really stood out to me was:

“The gospel changes everything. It brings us hope for tomorrow and strength for today.”

That line alone was enough to slow me down and reset my thinking.

Grace in Chaos helped me understand that motherhood is not just a daily task list or something we “get through.” It’s a spiritual calling. It’s a place where deep spiritual battles are often fought because this is where we are discipling, nurturing, guiding, and raising up the next generation. Of course, there will be resistance when we are raising our children to love and follow God.

The study gave me words for the weight I sometimes carry as a mom. On the days when I feel exhausted, anxious, angry, overwhelmed, or simply undone, it reminds me that Jesus is present through it all. One quote that especially hit home was:

“We are not God, nor do we have ultimate control over our circumstances. We cannot control the influence of other people on our children, though we can guard, shape, and protect them. We cannot control how our children will interpret their childhoods, what allergies they will have, or whether they will share our Christian faith. There is so much about our lives and in our mothering that we cannot control. But while we are not in control, God is, and He can be trusted… There is a difference between being controlling and exercising self-control. One seeks mastery over external circumstances, while the other seeks mastery over our internal thoughts, wills, and emotions. A person who is self-controlled learns to exercise temperance and say ‘no’ to ungodly desires. The Bible calls us to exercise self-control over our bodies, as we live in ways that honor Christ. It requires great self-control to trust God in our day-to-day lives.”

That quote brought conviction and comfort. I often try to control everything around my daughter, from her schedule to what she’s exposed to, in the name of being a “good mom.” I try to control my husband too, if I’m being honest, all while feeling like I’m just trying to protect and guide. But what I really need is to release control and trust that God is guiding our family, especially our daughter. My role isn’t to control everyone but to exercise self-control. That means caring for my own heart, tending to my reactions, and trusting God with the rest.

Another line I keep coming back to is:

“When we look to Jesus, we find an eternal joy and quiet settledness that cannot be disrupted. We find comfort not in our accomplishments but in Christ’s.”

As someone with a to-do list that always feels a mile long, I needed that. There are days I feel like a failure when I don’t get through everything. But this study reminded me that faithfulness matters more than productivity. Seeking Christ is enough. Resting in Him is enough. Trusting Him with our home, our children, our time, and our hearts — that is the call.

So if you’re in the thick of it, and your mornings look more like chaos than quiet time, I highly recommend this study. It’s rooted in Scripture, written with compassion, and designed for mamas like us who are seeking gospel-centered encouragement and truth.

This five-week journey offers real hope for real-life motherhood. It tackles the hard emotions we all wrestle with and reminds us to fix our eyes on the One who is unshakable. It’s a beautiful call to live with grace, to endure with faithfulness, and to mother from a place of trust in God’s sufficiency.